District



No. 751,761. PATBNTBD FEB. 9, 1904. V. G. TASKER.

BRBECH LOADING ORDNANGB.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 7, 1903. N0 MODEL. A' 5 SHEETS-SHEET l.`

PATENTED FEB. 9, 1904.

V. C. TASKER.

BREBGH LOADING ORDNANGE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. '7, 1903.

5 SHEETS- SHEET 2,

N0 MODEL.

Nd. 751,761. PATENTED PEB. 9, 1904.

' V. 0.'TASKER.

BREFGH LOADING ORDNANGE. APPLIOATLON 'FILED 1113.7, 1903.

5 SHEETS-SHEET s.

N0 MODEL.

wuamtoz @X3i/humaan @brow/mag PATENTED FEB. 9, 1904.

- V. C.` TASKBR. BREEGH LOADING ORDNANGE. APPLICATION FILED rma. 7, 1903.

No MODEL. 5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

No. '751,761` PATENTED FEB. 9, 1904.

'v. C. TASKBR. BREEGH LOADING ORDNANGB.

APPLICATION IILED FEB. 7, 1903.

N0 MODEL. 5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

j: Q HD jb DFD E-l pq l L@ y @am/4f UNTTED STATES Patented February 9, 1904.

PATENT EEicE.

VERNON C. TASKER, OF IVASHINGTON, DISTRICT OFCOLUMBIAASSIGNOR TO UNITED STATES ORDNANCE COMPANY, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, A CORPORATION OF VIRGINIA.

l BREEoH-LOADING ORDNANCE.

SPECIFICATION forrriing part of Letters Patent No. 751,761, dated February 9, 1904.

Application filed February 7, 1903. Serial No. 142,356. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, VERNON C. TAsKnR, a citizen of the United States,residing at Washington, District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Breech-Loading Ordnance, of which the fol: lowing is a full, clear, and exact description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, whichform a p art thereof, and in which- Figure 1 represents a horizontal section through the breech 'of a gun embodying my invention; Fig. 2, a rear elevationor' the same; Fig. 3, a vertical section of the same; Fig. 4, the same as Fig. 3, but with the breech-block revolved to its unlocked position; Fig. 5, a section throughthe breech-block and carrier on fthe line @cof Fig. 8; Fig. 6, asection on theline a @of Fig..2; Fig. 7, a section on the line b kvoi`.Fig. 2.; Fig. 8, a rear elevation of the gun andbreech-block, the firing-ease and carrierhub being in section along the lined d of Fig. 1; Fig. 9, a plan view of the non-recoiling portion of the iiring mechanism, the firing-handle U being in inoperative position and its operative position indicated by dotted lines; Fig. 10, a side elevation of the gun, showing the same parts as in Fig. 9'; Fig. 11, a cross-sec'- tion through the shaft S vand hub of firinghandle; Fig. 12, a perspective view of the breech-block carrier; Fig. 13, a perspective view of the seat for the block-latch in the same;

Fig. 14, a perspective View of the firing-case; Fig. 15, a section through the same, showing the locking-boltR; Fig. 16, a plan View of the block-latchin place in the carrier; Fig. 17, a 'front elevation of the same; Fig: 18, a perspective View of the lateh. Figs. 19`and 2O are rear and side elevations, respectively, of the gun, showing a modified form of vblocklatch and stop and a modified design, of actuating mechanism for the iiring-lck. 'Figy 21 is a section on the line g g of Fig.' 20. Fig. 22 is a side and end view of the washer T5l ot' Figs. 19, 20, and 21; and Fig. 23 is a vertical section through'the block-latch in Fig. 19 My invention relates to breech mechanism for guns, especially of the screw type, and

rotation of the breech-block .while Iswinging and in its open position; (e) for securing the operating-lever against accidentally opening when the breech is closed, and in improvedconstruction generally.

The principal parts of the iring mechanism here shown are covered by my United States Letters Patent No. 710,124, dated September 30, 1902, and the extractor X here shown is covered by my United States Letters Patent No. 599,4;82, dated February 22,1898.

Referring to the drawings, A represents a gun embodying my invention,having' a central bore and 4powder-chamber A and an eccentric breerszh-chamber A2, segmentally threaded, as at A ingly-threaded segments B in the usual way, or other suitable engagement between breechblock` and gun maybe had.

C is a breech-block carrier hinged to the gun at Q, having a forwardly-projecting hub or journal C C2, eccentric to the bore A', but concentric with thebreech -chambein Said hub fits a corresponding central cavity of the breech-block, and thelatter revolves thereon in locking and unlocking the breech withax- The breech-block B has correspondial movement corresponding `to the pitch of its threads B. f

To confine the block B in its movement on the carrier-hub C C2, it is provided With a guide-lug B2, engaging a groove C?, cut i'n the carrier-hub. At one end of this groove isa run-out C, extending forwardly, Figs. 5 and 12, through which the lug B2 must pass in assembling or disengaging the block and carrier. The carrier-hub is pierced by the longitudinal chamber C5 C, Figs. 1 and 5, eccentric'to said hub but concentric with bore of gun. In this chamber is inserted and secured the, firing-case K, carrying the ringgnech- 55 locked position in the gun; (d) for preventingwill readily be understood from the drawings,

and it will be observed that' the bolt R constitutes a lock for the entire mechanism, ex-

be of any convenient form or direction.

cept the hinge-pin Q', since with this excep- .tion no part can in any way become detached or dismounted until this bolt `be first withdrawn and the firing-case partially revolved. The arm P' of the shaft P is for the purpose of rotating said shaft to fire the gun, and may be actuated thereto by any suitable means or herein shown, the arm extends forwardly and is actuated by the pallet S', carried by a shaft S, journaled in bearings T T' on a non-recoiling portion 'Y of the mount or carriage. The

shaft S is rotatively actuated by the -spring V to keep the pallet S' in its downward position.

A firing-handle U, projecting outwardly, is loosely mounted onl the shaft S and is hinged at U' to permit of being folded rearwardly against the' bearing T, as in Fig. 9, its lug U2 then engaging the slot -T2 and preventing rotation of the shaft S. Itis retainedin either this safety position or the operative position of Fig. 2 by a spring U3 on the familiar principle of the jackknife. The hub U4 of the firing-handle has stop-surfaces U5 U, limiting its rotation in either direction. A screw U' in said hub hasa projection entering the outer end of the slot S2, Fig. 1l, in the shaft S, securing the latter against endwise movement and causing it to rotate against the resistance of the spring V when the handle U is depressed to lire the gun.

A horn or finger C o n the carrier is normally just forward of the pallet S', and the latter is of helicoidal form, as shown. As the gun returns to position after recoil should the pallet still be in its upward position this horn C1 automatically deects it to normal position before it can again act upon the arm P', and if after this from any cause the handle U should be depressed before the breech is closed for the next shot the pallet S' is again automatically thrust into normal posi-,

tion by the horn C19 as the carrier swings shut. Thus the vgun cannot be accidentally fired by the handle U being carelessly or accidentally held in depressed position between shots. In firing the gun the pallet S' swings upwardly, and as the gun recoils the projection C acts on its underside and further deflects it slightly in order to pass tothe rear, the slot S2 in shaft S permitting this without further movement` of the firing-handle U. The gun having been fired, its recoil is arrested by any suitable Asl means, and this checking of its motion owing to the inertia of the operating-lever L tends to throw the latter rearwardly and open the breechi To prevent accidental opening from this or other causes, I provide a latch Z, Figs.

,1 and 2, pivoting on the pin Z' in the operating-lever L and engaging a notched stud Z' On the carrier C. The latch Z has a heavy arm Z2, a lip Z5, rearwardly actuated by a spring Z4, and the inclined contact-surface Z, abutting against the notch Z of the stud Z'. As the operatingvlever is opened by hand the inclined surface Zr of the latch rides over this surface Z and causes the latch Z to rotate and the arm Zzto swing forwardly against theresistance of the spring Z4. The parts are so proportioned that there is a suitable moderate resistance to the opening of the lever L, and as the latter is closed again the latch Z readily rides over the end of the stud Z7 to its normal position. (Shown in Fig. 1.) During recoil,

however, when the checking or sudden arrest of rearward motion tends 'to throw the lever L violently to the rear, the same causes have a similar effect on the arm Z2 of the latch, and this arm acts with great leverage to maintain engagement of the surfaces Z5 and Z, thus increasing the resistance to the rearward tendency of the lever in a degree'nieasurably proportional to such tendency.

Another form of latch N for thel breechbloek is illustrated in Figs. 19 and 23, in which the latch when in engagement with'thenotch B of the block. acts as a strut and transfers the thrust of the breech-block directly to the latch-pivot C20. In other respects the operation of the two forms of latch is similar. The sector B10 on the breech-block prevents removal of the latch from its pivot until the block has been dismounted. In this arrangement the end of the sector abuts against the stop C21 on the carrierwhen the block is unlocked, the stop being of a somewhat different pattern.

Figs. 19, 20, 21, and 22 exhibit amodifed construction of the apparatus carried by the mount for actuating the firing-lock, by which it is possible to tire the gun when the latter has not completely returned to battery after recoil. It also obviates the necessity for the horn C (shown on the carrier in Figs, 2 and 10) by providing for automatic release-and return to position of the firing-shaft S3 after the firing-lever Us has been depressed suiiciently to tire the. gun. To this end the pallet S",

Vwhich engages the arm P' in firing, is extended IOO . entering the bearing T3 and partially cut away,

forming a lip U, normally engaging the latch S5. (See Fig. 21.) washer T5 (shown separately in Fig. 22) abuts the end of the bearing r 10";

and carries acam-lug T, and its rotation is prevented by a dowel T7, :engaging the bearing. The relation of parts is such that when the shaft S3, through the agency ofthe lip U, acting on the latch S5, has been rotated by the firing-handle far enough to ire the gun the latch is depressed into the shaft by riding upon the cam-lug T5. This releases the 'shaft from the infiuence of the firing-lever and permits' the spring V to return it to normal position.

The firing-lever is stopped by the-lugs U12 on its hub meeting the bearing T3, and upon subsequent release of downward pressure on the firing-lever it is restored to normal position by the spring Vg. The latch Ss then springs again in front of the lip U in position to be again actuated by downward movement of the ring-lever.

I claim- 1 1. The combination with a breech-loadin gun; of a breech-block revoluble eccentrically to the axis of the gun, a carrier, and a tiring-hammer constantly supported in the axis pf the gun by said carrier. l,

2. The combination with a breech-loading gun, of a breech-block eccentric to the bore of the gun, a carrier; and a normally retracted ring-hammer concentric with the bore of the gun; of a revolublebreech-block eccentric to gun and supported in the carrier, independently of the breech-block. r

3. The'combination with a breech-loading the axis of the gun, a carrier, and a ringhammer supported by said carrier, the firinghammer aving a xed alinement with the axis of the gun.

4. The combination w1th a breech-loading gun, of a carrier, a firing-hammer constantly supported in the axis of the gun by the carrier;

and a revoluble breech-block eccentric to said axis and adapted by its rotation to prevent forward movement of the liring-hammer when the block is not locked and to permit forward movement when said block is locked.

5. rlhe combination with a breech-loading gun, offa carrier, a firing-hammer constantly supported in the axis of the gun by the carrier, and a revoluble breech-block eccentric to said axis, said breech-block having an aperture alined with the hammer when the block is locked.

6. The combin gun, of a breech-block, a carrier supporting the breech-block, a firing device supported by ation with a breech-loading ing device to secure the block to the carrier in the locked position of said block.

7 The combination with a breech-loading gun, of a breech-block, a carrier supporting the breech-block, a firing device supported by the carrier independently of the breech-block;

andymeans on the block engaging with the ring device to'secure the block to the carrier in the locked position of said block, said firing device and breech-block being independently applied to and removed from said carrier.

8. The .combination with a breech-loading gun, of a breech-block, a carrier supporting the breech-block, a firing device secured in the carrier independently of the breech-block; and means on the breech-block engaging with the firing device to secure the block to the carrier in the locked position of said block.

9. The combination with a breech-loading gun, of a breech-block, a carrier supporting said breech-block and interlocking therewith when the block is not locked, a tiring device; and means onthe block engaging with the ring device to secure the block to the carrier when the block. is locked.

10. The combination with a breech-loading gun, of a carrier, a breech-block, and a firing device; said breech-block and firing device being independently supported by said'carrier and interlocking with each other when the block is in its locked positionf. y

11. The combination with a breech-loading gun, of a breech-block, 'a carrier for the breechblock, an inwardly-projecting stud in a recess in said carrier,- a spring-actuated pawl pivoted on said stud and adapted to engage an abutment on the block to retain the latter in unlocked position, and asurface on'the breechblok normally retaining said pawl onsaid stu Y 12. The combination with a breech-loading gun,`of a breech-block, a lever for operating sai'dblock; and means actuated by the movement of the gun for resisting the tendency of said lever to move, when said movement causes said tendency.

13. The combination with a recoil-mounted breech-loading gun, of a breech-block, a lever for operating said blocks', and an inertiaenergized detent for the lever.

'14. The combination with a breech-loading gun. of a breech-block, an operating-lever for the breech-block; and adetent for the operating-lever,` the resistance of said detent being increased by an inertia-operated weight.

15. Thecombination with abreech-loading gun, of a breech-block, a lever foroperating the breech-block; and inertia-operated means actuated by movement of the gun for restraining said lever whensaid movement causes the lever to have a tendency to open the breech.

16. The combination with a breech-loading gun, of a breech-block, a lever for operating the breech-block;'and inertia-operated means actuated by movement ofthe gun for' restrainlIIO 4tacting With the notch; and a heavy free arm transversely to the gun.

with increased tendency of the lever, toi-.open

17. The combination with a breech-loading gun, of alcarrier, a breech-block, an operating-lever for the breech-block, a latch pivoted on the operating-lever, an' engaging surface on the carrier for the latch; and an inertia-operated arm Afor increasing the resistance of the latch and integral therewith.

18. The combination with a breech-loading gun, ofabreech-block, acari-ier for the breechblock, a lever for operating the breech-block, a stud on the carrier 'having a notch, a latch pivoted on the lever and having a surface conformed integral with the latch and extending 19. The combination with a' breech-loading gun, of a breech-block, a breech-block'carrier having a hub, said hub having acircumferengroove, a lug on the breech-block traveling in said grooves, means for rotating the breechl block; and means for obstructingthe longituy dinal groove toprevent egress of the lug ol' the breech-block. v

20. The combination with a breech-loading gun, of a breech-block, a carrier having a hul on which the breech-block is mounted, sain hub having merging longitudinal and circumferential slots, a lug on the breech`-block movable in the slots, a firing-casing inserted in the 35 hub of the carrier, aA lug on the casing for ob- 'structingthe longitudinal slot of the hub-to prevent egress of the lug of the breech-block; and means for retaining the casing in the hub.

21. The combination- With' a breechloading gun, of a hinged carrier having-a hub; and a breech-block interlocking with said hub when the `block is not. locked and unlocking there- `from when said block is locked;

In testimony 'whereofl ax my signature, in the presence of two witnesses, this 6th day of February, 1908.

l VERNON C. TAVSKER.

` Witnesses:

A.v Y. LEECH, Jr., G. SAMPSON. i 

